Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

City council to explore options to revive yard waste pickup

Justin Addison, Editor/Publisher
Posted 6/15/21

The Fayette City Council will seek a solution to reinstate yard waste collection. The move came after the council heard a litany of objections from several citizens during its regular meeting on …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

City council to explore options to revive yard waste pickup

Posted

The Fayette City Council will seek a solution to reinstate yard waste collection. The move came after the council heard a litany of objections from several citizens during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 8.

Until recently, yard waste was collected curbside every Thursday. The service was dropped when the city council voted to accept a bid from RTS Waste Services LLC, of rural Slater, for trash service starting June 1. The decision to change waste collection companies was made by the Board of Aldermen at a special meeting held on Tuesday, May 18. Fayette’s contract with Waste Management, formerly Advanced Disposal, expired on May 31.

The council entertained proposals from both RTS and its former trash service provider, Waste Management. The council voted to accept the low bid from RTS, which totaled $430,128 per year, a charge to utility customers of $13.50 per month. Another option from RTS that would have included yard waste pickup once per month was bid at $489,456 and would cost households $15.50 per month.

During the special meeting, the council heard from David Kruger, owner of RTS, who said his company only collects yard waste from one other city out of the more than 25 he serves. “It doesn’t work very well. It’s a pain in the neck and I don’t think many people use it,” he said.

The city continues to maintain a compost site at D.C. Rogers Lake where yard waste may be dumped at no charge. But that isn’t a reasonable option for many people in Fayette. Dorothy Ayers, who lives on Church Street in Fayette, told the council she is angry and frustrated. She and her husband are in their 80s and depend on yard waste pickup. 

“We take pride in our property. We want it to be neat and clean. And therefore we have always had yard waste in the spring, summer, and fall. Now we find out…that we are expected to put our trash in the car and take it out to D.C. Rogers. Do you think we’re capable of doing that at 85 and 87?

“You all have not solved a problem, you’ve created one. A big one.”

Mary Jarboe, another Church Street resident, said she was floored when she found out there would be no yard waste pickup. “It’s a must because we want to keep the city neat and clean.”

Jarboe said she realizes having yard waste collection could make the rates go up, but she asserts it’s a necessary service for the community. “Everyone should take pride in how things are, and that is a great help to be able to keep your yard in better condition.” She also told the council she does not want to put yard waste inside her vehicle to haul to the city’s dumpsite.

East Ward Alderman Stephanie Ford acknowledged the problem and asked those assembled if they would be willing to pay a higher monthly rate for yard waste collection. 

She said the city will look into the feasibility of furnishing an in-house collection of yard waste by city employees. “We’re going to try and figure something out,” Ford said.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here